Why Is My Game So Inconsistent, Especially as I Get Older?

A question we hear often is why performance can vary so much—especially as we age.

What’s the common thread amid changing conditions, fresh tennis balls, and different opponent styles? It’s your ability to watch the ball. In fact, research shows that 90% of errors result from players not tracking the ball effectively.

The good news? It’s never too late (or too early) to refine your ball-watching skills. Here are a few essential tips to help you focus better and stabilize your performance.

1. Identify Your Dominant Eye

Most players have a dominant eye that influences shot preference, often favoring the forehand side. Knowing which eye is dominant can help you understand tendencies in your game. How do you determine eye dominance? Try this: extend your arm, make a small circle with your fingers, and focus on a distant object through the circle. Close one eye at a time; the eye that keeps the object centered is your dominant eye.

2. Align for Better Tracking

To minimize the effects of eye dominance, position yourself at a right angle to the incoming ball’s direction, particularly on returns and volleys. If you watch players like the pros,  you’ll notice how they adjust their return positions depending on whether they’re on the forehand or backhand side.

3. Move Your Eyes, Not Your Head

Shifting your head to track the ball can delay shot preparation, causing rushed or off-balance strokes. Train yourself to track the ball with your eyes, keeping your head steady to save valuable milliseconds in your setup.

4. Hit the Ball in Front

Striking the ball in front of your body allows you to keep your head steady and limits the need for last-second adjustments, reducing the likelihood of late hits—especially on your non-dominant side. Lefties, for example, often struggle with weaker backhands for this very reason.

These foundational tips are your “Ball Watching 101.” Start incorporating them to play more consistently and with greater control.

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